Podcast Summary: "Acontece que no es poco | La dimisión de Salmerón"

Podcast: Todo Concostrina
Host: Nieves Concostrina (SER Podcast)
Episode Date: September 7, 2022
Theme: The resignation of Nicolás Salmerón, integrity in politics, and the impact of Krausism on Spanish education and society.

Episode Overview

In this episode, Nieves Concostrina explores the historical figure Nicolás Salmerón, the third president of Spain's First Republic, focusing on his resignation for reasons of conscience and his ties to Krausism, a philosophical movement advocating educational and societal reform. Through her signature sharp and witty style, Nieves places Salmerón's integrity in contrast with the moral shortcomings she sees in contemporary politics, while illuminating the challenges of 19th-century Spain.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Importance of Integrity in Politics

• Nieves opens with a lament about current politicians' lack of integrity and contrasts them with figures like Salmerón:

  • “De vez en cuando viene muy bien hablar de políticos íntegros, que hay muchos, pero esos no dicen estupideces para acaparar titulares, están currando. Vamos a hablar de uno que fue, desde mi punto de vista y desde el de la historia, Nicolás Salmerón.” (02:04)

• Emphasis on Salmerón as a model of honesty and dedication to public service, unafraid of controversy but unwavering in moral conviction.

2. Who was Nicolás Salmerón?

• Third president of the First Spanish Republic, in office only 50 days, resigning on September 7, 1873, for refusing to sign death sentences (03:05).

• A key advocate for education, secularism, and separation of church and state.

• Suffered persecution, exile, and loss of position due to his beliefs on education and opposition to monarchy and church privileges.

  • Memorable quote from Salmerón, highlighted by Nieves:
    “¿Sabéis lo que cuesta la monarquía el mantenimiento de una familia? 13 millones de pesetas. ¿Sabéis qué se paga en España por el mantenimiento de todos los institutos de segunda enseñanza? 10 millones. Es decir, que vale más mantener la persona del monarca que educar a la nación.” (03:47)

3. Krausism and Its Influence

• Short explainer on Krausism, a philosophical doctrine from German philosopher Karl Krause:

  • It calls for the autonomy of science and education from religious dogma. Its Spanish variant fueled the Institución Libre de Enseñanza and educational progressivism (05:01).

  • Core aim: promoting liberal, modern, secular education as the engine of social and political change.

  • “El krausismo... decía que no había que ponerse tan intenso con la idea de Dios... la ciencia y la educación tenían que ser autónomas, independizarse de Dios.” (05:04)

  • Critique of the church’s monopoly over education: “La Iglesia tenía el monopolio de la enseñanza aborreguil.” (06:07)

4. Political Chaos of the First Republic

• Salmerón’s tenure was marked by insurmountable instability:

  • Five presidents in just over a year, including Salmerón (07:54).

  • Factionalism among republicans—unionists, federalists, and federalists intransigentes (hardliners).

  • The Cantonalist movement: various regions and cities declaring themselves autonomous “cantons”, which Salmerón had to suppress with military force (10:56).

  • Nieves’s humorous summary:
    “No somos muchos, no somos pocos, pero estamos todos locos.” (10:16)

• Dilemma: Salmerón, initially a federalist, becomes more moderate and opts for a unitary approach to avoid further chaos (11:02).

5. The Crisis and Resignation: The Death Penalty Dilemma

• After suppressing the cantonalist revolts, Salmerón faced military death penalty sentences for captured rebels.
• As a lifelong opponent of capital punishment, he refused to sign and resigned rather than betray his principles (12:44).
  • “Sentenciar a muerte a alguien era contrario a su conciencia, a sus principios y sobre todo a los principios de la democracia. Y aquel 7 de septiembre de 1873 dimitió como presidente.” (12:47)

6. Ongoing Legacy and Modern Implications

• Salmerón’s enduring fight: secular and quality public education, judicial independence, abolition of slavery and death penalty (13:12).
• Reflection on the present:
  • Educational advances: 98.5% literacy in Spain, but lament on “functional illiteracy”— people know how to read and write but don’t use it (14:15).
  • relevant quote from Jesús Quintero: “Los analfabetos de hoy son los peores, porque han tenido acceso a la educación, saben leer y escribir, pero no ejercen.” (14:23)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On monarchy versus education:
  “Vale más mantener la persona del monarca que educar a la nación.” – Nicolás Salmerón, cited by Nieves (03:55)

• On political chaos:
  “No somos muchos, no somos pocos, pero estamos todos locos.” – Nieves, with playful repetition (10:16)

• On Krausism and secular education:
  “El pozo negro de todo conocimiento [es la Iglesia].” – Nieves (06:26)

• On integrity:
  “Salmerón no tenía miedo a nada, salvo a traicionar su conciencia.” – Nieves (03:40)
  “Sentenciar a muerte a alguien era contrario a su conciencia… y aquel 7 de septiembre de 1873 dimitió como presidente.” (12:47)

• On modern literacy:
  “Los analfabetos de hoy son los peores, porque han tenido acceso a la educación, saben leer y escribir, pero no ejercen.” – Jesús Quintero, cited by Nieves (14:23)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Salmerón’s biography and political context: 01:18 – 04:45
• Krausism explained: 05:00 – 07:28
• Factions and cantonal movements: 07:39 – 12:39
• Resignation over death penalty: 12:39 – 13:34
• Modern reflections on education and literacy: 13:48 – 14:51

Tone & Style

Nieves Concostrina uses a witty, irreverent, and direct style, blending historical rigor with humor and social critique. She draws frequent parallels between past and present, emphasizing the cyclical nature of political and educational challenges in Spain.

Summary Takeaway

Through the lens of Nicolás Salmerón’s brief, principled presidency, this episode underscores the value of political integrity, the enduring struggle for secular, quality education, and the complex legacy of 19th-century Spanish reformers. The lessons from Salmerón's moral stand remain strikingly relevant for contemporary listeners.